We’re almost a quarter of the way into 2019 and Kuala Lumpur is slowly heating up with international live acts. March brings a wave of talent ready to descend on stages throughout the Klang Valley and we’ve picked out three of the best. This month we welcome iconic balladeer Engelbert Humperdinck, boy band super group Blue and Swedish R&B crooner Maher Zain.
Blue
Just when it seemed boy band mania was coming to an end in Britain, following the domination of groups like Take That, Westlife, Boyzone and Five, a quartet rose to the occasion in the form of Blue. With trademark smooth harmonies, seductive lyrics and a willingness to experiment with different genres, Blue made their debut in 2001 with the single All Rise, a defining song in boy band canon and one of their biggest hits to date. 
The album of the same name reached number one in the UK Charts, as did their next two follow-ups, One Love and Guilty, sealing their reputation as one of the finest boy bands to come out of the UK.
Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe split up in 2005, only to reunite again in 2011 going on to release two more acclaimed albums.
This will be their first global tour since the split, after a few one-off appearances, and they’re set to take fans down memory lane with songs like Fly By II, Too Close, If You Come Back and the massive All Rise.
Blue
WHERE Menara PGRM, Kuala Lumpur
WHEN 8.30pm (3 Mar)
ADMISSION RM98-RM598
myticket.asia
Maher Zain
“My music is a message of Islam,” says Lebanese-born Swedish musician Maher Zain who shot to fame almost overnight after releasing his debut album Thank You Allah in 2009. Music was always something close to his heart from a young age and after graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, he moved to New York with fellow Swedish producer RedOne to immerse himself in the music scene.
When he returned to Sweden a few years later, he began to practise Islam more seriously and ended up combining his faith with his music. Fast forward a few more years and he’s a worldwide sensation, particularly here in Malaysia where Thank You Allah ended up being the best-selling album of the decade.
Zain sings in English, French, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, and Malay and injects his songs with messages of peace, brotherhood, humanity, respect and love – what he believes Islam is all about. He’s also known as a brilliant live performer able to captivate both Eastern and Western audiences with his unique brand of R&B.
Maher Zain Malaysia Tour 2019
WHERE Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur
WHEN 7pm (9 Mar)
ADMISSION RM78-RM1,000
TEL 03 8070 7666
tixmalaysia.com
Engelbert Humperdinck
A man that needs little introduction, Engelbert Humperdinck has acquired an almost legendary status in his illustrious 50-year career, and at 82 he shows no sign of pulling in the reins. The man has recorded 81 albums, 64 of which have gone gold and 23 platinum – figures you’ll be hard up finding for any other musician throughout history.
Born Arnold George Dorsey, he eventually changed his name in a bid to reinvent himself after struggling to make it as a singer in the early part of his career. It worked as merely a year later he found himself on the charts with one of his first hits, Dommage, Dommage.
Since then, his unique voice has been heard on everything from romantic ballads to movie theme songs, disco, rock, gospel, and even modern R&B. Through it all he’s managed to remain relevant, charming millions with his dry wit, endearing sense of humour and powerful vocals. The stage, he feels, is his natural home where he can be the person he’s always wanted to be – a performer.
Catch him sing seminal hits like Release Me, Last Waltz, Quando Quando Quando, Spanish Eyes, The Way It Used to Be and many more in the Arena Of Stars this month!
Engelbert Humperdinck The Angel On My Shoulder Tour
WHERE Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, Pahang
WHEN 8.30pm (16 Mar)
ADMISSION RM200-RM690
TEL 03 2718 1118
rwgenting.com